LETTER: Oneida Public Library plans put community first

For several years, the Oneida Public Library (OPL) Board of Trustees has been carefully planning for the new library initiative, the construction of a new facility.

As taxpayers ourselves, we always have the purses of our fellow citizens foremost in our minds as we move forward with our plans. We have been working closely with our architect to build an energy efficient building with flexible use of space to meet the needs of our patrons and the community both now and in the future.

Because libraries are changing from being book-centered to community-centered, our new library building space will be adaptable and can be transformed to accommodate future needs.

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Meeting space is essential to the operation of a 21st century library. The news is rich with how libraries are transforming their space to accommodate people working in groups, sharing activities and information, or just meeting up with friends and hanging out in a comfortable, safe, friendly place.

Our space is free to any not-for-profit group or organization since NYS law requires chartered libraries to be free. Groups such as the AARP safe driving class, Christian Women's Club and the Oneida Healthcare Auxiliary meet monthly. Other groups such as 4H Club, Alzheimer's Association, BRiDGES of Madison County, CNY Arts, Community Action Partnership, and area high school reunion and alumni associations, to mention a few, request and use our facility to meet. These organizations would be severely hindered by meeting space rental fees.

Our goal is to raise the construction funds for the new facility from a variety of sources: state and federal grants, local and regional corporate grants, local and regional private foundation grants, and voluntary gifts and pledges from individuals and small businesses.

Yearly property tax bills which arrive in January include the library tax that was voted on last March for our 2012-13 budget year. For the median home in Oneida, this amounts to a total tax of less than $50 for the year, approximately 2 percent higher than the previous year. The library tax rate is independent of the city or county tax rates.

The library's board of trustees is currently working on next year's budget which will have a similar, nominal increase. Like the 2012-13 budget, this proposed budget will not include any expenses related to the new construction project.

As for books becoming obsolete, that is not likely. In 2011, our patrons checked out nearly 84,000 items, whereas the total volume of electronic books equaled just over 1,000.

The whole Mid York Library system reports an increase in circulation and a leveling off of ebooks.

If you want to know more, please stop by the library or visit our website to "check us out!"

The Oneida Daily Dispatch welcomes letters from our readers about subjects of interest. Letters should be fewer than 500 words.

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